Germany is the land of organized urban planning. Parking is no exception. With millions of vehicles on the road, it naturally follows that on- and off-street parking must be governed by strict laws and regulations.
In most German cities, you'll find:
- on-street parking options
- designated parking lots (Parkplatz)
- (multi-storey) parking garages (Parkhaus)
- and underground parking garages (Tiefgarage).
Unfortunately, there often aren't enough spaces to go around, and you may have to drive around for a bit before you find a spot, all the while feeling like you're losing a round of musical chairs.
At the same time, you want to avoid parking tickets and fines. So how do you know where you can park your vehicle – and where you can't?
Let's take a closer look, rule by rule.
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Where is parking prohibited?
First off, be aware of these two types of parking restrictions:
- Limited parking → you can stop, but you cannot park here.
- No parking → you cannot stop here — not even for a moment.
What's the difference between stopping and parking? Use the 3-minute rule:
Stopping means leaving your car and returning within less than 3 minutes. The engine can be on or off — but make sure you're close by and ready to drive away.
Meanwhile, your vehicle is considered parked if you leave it or remain stationary for more than 3 minutes.
Rule of thumb: if stopping is explicitly prohibited, so is parking!
Typically, these restrictions will be indicated on street and parking signs. Some street signs may feature additional signage — so make sure you fully understand them.
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Don't speak German? Use an app like Lens to translate parking signs.
Still don't understand parking signs? Use ChatGPT like this guy.
If even ChatGPT can't help, read this in-depth article by stvo2go.com.
Still don't understand parking signs? Use ChatGPT like this guy.
If even ChatGPT can't help, read this in-depth article by stvo2go.com.
Some parking signs are also painted directly onto the street to A) drive the point home, and B) clearly mark the area where parking is (not) permitted. Important: All road markings must be approved by the authorities! Individuals may not impose stopping or parking restrictions without obtaining the necessary permissions first.
And speaking of imposed restrictions: All drivers in Germany are prohibited from parking in the following areas according to § 12 of the Road Traffic Act (StVO):
- On highways and bicycle lanes
- At roundabouts (#215)
- Outside of designated parking spaces in pedestrian and “living street” areas (#325.1, #325.2, #242.1, #242.2)
- On narrow streets and in front of building entrances/exits
- On zebra crossings, at junctions and intersections (and within 5 meters of them) → #134, #350
- In front of lowered or dropped curbs (e.g. those designed for people with reduced mobility)
- On priority roads outside the city
- At railroad crossings (Andreas' cross). Within the city limits, you cannot park within 5 meters of railroad crossings, outside the city you need to park at least 50 meters away (#201)
- In areas with traffic restrictions (#250, #252, #253) and at bus/tram stops (#224; as well as within 15 meters of them)
How long can you park?
Sometimes, you may need to leave your vehicle parked for longer periods of time. Think staying in, taking a sick day, or going on a vacation. You may wonder: are there any temporary parking restrictions? Any rules for mid- and long-term parking?
Photo by Artur Tumasjan on Unsplash
The German Road Traffic Act (StVO) generally allows “long-term parking” in public spaces as long as you:
- Adhere to the rules and regulations of the StVO as detailed above.
- Stick to the local restrictions put in place by your district or city (if applicable).
- Don't illegally park on private property.
Make sure your vehicle has a valid TÜV certificate, is registered, and suitable for driving. It should not obstruct other vehicles or pose a risk to other road users.
For one, vandalism and theft are real. And two, you may need to move your vehicle because a temporary no-parking zone is about to be put in place (e.g. for construction work or special events). Temporary no-parking zones must be announced 3 days in advance, so if you regularly check on your vehicle, you'll avoid being towed unnecessarily.
If you follow these guidelines, you can park your vehicle in the same public parking spot for as long as you like!
But watch out: special rules apply to Parking Vouchers and Parking Discs.
Do you need a safe place near work or home to park your vehicle?
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Questions & Answers
- How long can I park at a train station?Each train station operator enforces their own set of rules for mid- and long-term parking. Most stations will let you park by the hour or by the day for up to 1 or 2 weeks without charging you a long-term tariff.Long term parking is available at almost every main train stations (Hautpbahnhof or Hbf; e.g. Berlin Hbf, Hamburg Hbf, Munich Hbf) — but be prepared for a minimum 3-month commitment.Visit DBBahnPark.de to learn about the specifics of train station parking in your area.
- How close to a bus stop can I park?Parking at a bus stop is strictly prohibited. You can park in the vicinity but make sure you park at least 15 meters away. This allows buses to ease in and out of the stop without obstruction.
- How close to a traffic light can you park?By The German Traffic Act (StVO) you cannot stop or park within 10 meters of traffic lights in any direction.
- What is the maximum parking period?German law does not put a general cap on how long you can park somewhere. Make sure your vehicle is parked correctly and check out the above section How long can you park? above for more parking tips.
